Saturday 28 January 1664/65
Up and to my office, where all the morning, and then home to dinner, and after dinner abroad, walked to Paul’s Churchyard, but my books not bound, which vexed me. So home to my office again, where very late about business, and so home to supper and to bed, my cold continuing in a great degree upon me still.
This day I received a good sum of money due to me upon one score or another from Sir G. Carteret, among others to clear all my matters about Colours, —[Flags]— wherein a month or two since I was so embarrassed and I thank God I find myself to have got clear, by that commodity, 50l. and something more; and earned it with dear pains and care and issuing of my owne money, and saved the King near 100l. in it.
25 Annotations
First Reading
CGS • Link
"So sorry Mr Pepys, fish glue does not set well in this wet weather, and the leather still be a wee bit damp. We do not want mildew dothe we."
"...but my books not bound, which vexed me...."
CGS • Link
Navy Debt.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
Bottom line
Which, being added, makes, in the Whole £.143,422/ 8 /3d
see Sir George Carterett's portion of debt:
Terry Foreman • Link
The Earl of Sandwich will get mail (inventoried in the Carte Calendar)
James, Duke of York, to Sandwich
Written from: St James's
Date: 28 January 1665
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 75, fol(s). 139
Document type: Original; subscribed & signed. With seal of arms.
Communicates various orders given by H.R.H. for the disposition of the Fleet. Desires Lord Sandwich to cause some ships of the fourth & fifth rates to be prepared for sea and to despatch them for protection of the Northern Coast; and also to send to Chatham certain ships, the names of which are specified, which came, under his Lordship's command, from Portsmouth.
-------------------------
William Coventry, Secretary of the Admiralty, to Lord Sandwich
Written from: [St James']
Date: 28 January 1665
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 75, fol(s). 141-142
Document type: Holograph
Informs his Lordship that the Dutch have issued Letters of Marque; and of the disposal of various ships of the Royal Navy assigned for special services; whereupon his Lordship is to give such order as he may deem fit. Adds various particulars as to the manning and equipment of the Fleet and as to certain prize-ships lying at Dover. Four of the ships of the Guinea Company are to enter into the King's pay.
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/s…
cape henry • Link
It seems likely, knowing what we know about Pepys, that when he mentions that he is 'vexed' with a tradesman - or any underling for that matter - that fact has been communicated to the offending party. The pecking order being what it was, it is not difficult to envision him haranguing this bookbinder for being late in delivering the order to assuage his vexation a bit. M. Salinity may be on to something in his comment above as well.
CGS • Link
teaser on Bullion
'Charles II, 1660: An Act for the Encourageing and increasing of Shipping and Navigation.', Statutes of the Realm: volume 5: 1628-80 (1819), pp. 246-250. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/… 1660. Date accessed: 28 January 2008....
then modification.
Reasons for passing this Act.; The said Act repealed as to Admirals, &c. Mariners and Seamen. ; All Process against them to cease.; And none of the said Officers or Mariners to be arrested, &c.; but shall henceforth stand acquitted from all Suits, &c.; This Act to be expounded most beneficially for the said Officers and Mariners, &c.
Whereas by an Act made in this pp[re]sent Parliament entituled An Act [for (fn. 1) ] directing the prosecution of such as are accomptable for Prize Goods It is amongst other things enacted That all and every Admiralls ViceAdmiralls Captaines of Shipps Officers and Marriners that did surprize or receive to or for the publique use or by pretence thereof any Shipps, Plate, Jewells, Bullion, Money, Silver, Gold, Armes, Ammunition, Wares, Merchandices or any manner of Goods whatsoever seized or taken for Prize betwixt the Thirtyeth of January One thousand six hundred forty two, and the nine and twentyeth of May One thousand six hundred sixty, ...
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/… 1664. Date accessed: 28 January 2008.
jeannine • Link
“I received a good sum of money due to me upon one score or another from Sir G. Carteret”
From “Record of Pepys’ Financial Accounts” by Samuel Rogal
(Figures pounds/shillings/pence)
On Oct 12, 1664 Sam paid out 208/18/0 to a linen draper for calico. Today he was reimbursed 258/18/0, thus leaving him with a profit of 50£ for his efforts.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Ralph Berry • Link
"..my cold continueing in a great deal upon me still"
I don't suppose this had anything to do with yesterday's "talking and discoursing" and other activities in/overlooking the fields with Jayne. Incidently the oath made 5 days ago on the 23rd to abstain from philandering for a month did not last long. Nothing like that sex drive to lead a good man astray.
Robert Gertz • Link
Carpe diem, Ralph. One only gets one chance if that much with Jane Welch.
Robert Gertz • Link
Sorry, Ms. Welsh.
***
Hope Bess' toothache's better...But at least wandering thoughts on feminine beauty have been supressed for the moment by the allure of a colder idol.
Still no word from Balty...But no doubt the would-be Sieur de St. Michel is fighting his way into the Sultan's guard as we type. If he ever left England...
CGS • Link
Names that Samuell uses may not be their legal version, but their nom de plume. i.e. derogatory ones to boot.
Jane skips out on her promise and Bagwell wants to be well heeled, just a suspicion.
Michael Robinson • Link
" ... and I thank God I find myself to have got clear, by that commodity, 50l. and something more; and earned it with dear pains and care and issuing of my owne money, and saved the King near 100 L. in it."
L&M note:
" ... His claim to have saved money for the King ignores the fact that calico was inferior to bewpers: see B. Pool, 'Navy Office Contracts, 1660-1832,' p. 39."
jeannine • Link
” … His claim to have saved money for the King ignores the fact that calico was inferior to bewpers: see B. Pool, ‘Navy Office Contracts, 1660-1832,’ p. 39.”
A little off topic and a spoiler, but Michael brings up a good point here. As corners are cut and money is pocketed Sam doesn't show any thought to the effects of using poor quality materials. This comment reminds me of Prince Rupert's biographies and some of the issues to come as men actually go to battle and are stuck using the sub-standard supplies that Sam contracted for. You can't fight a war without being able to supply your ships and feed your men. As Sam, and others focus on filling their pockets the results for the men at war will be horrible, and Sam will find himself at odds with one furious Prince, to say the least. This may be a interesting theme to note along the way as we read.
language hat • Link
Excellent comments, Michael and jeannine -- many thanks!
Robert Gertz • Link
Calico over bewper...Makes one wonder about those Warren masts and the new sails. Thank God at the least the hemp ropes should be ok.
"And here, Mr. Pepys, we have some excellent cut-rate gunpowder."
cape henry • Link
The technical term for what Pepys is admitting here is 'profiteering.'
Michael Robinson • Link
" ... You can’t fight a war without being able to supply your ships and feed your men."
This historical stuff is of apparent interest still, first link below. I find it fascinating that what is going on day by day with SP and colleagues as we read is the creation and management of the largest international supply chain and industrial complex (the dockyards) known till the early/mid C 19th. Given the difference in communications this makes what Walmart have achieved (for good or ill) with their operations look like child's play.
General Logistics Paradigm: A Study of the Logistics of Alexander, Napoleon, and Sherman
Abstract : This study examines the campaigns of Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte and William T. Sherman. By analyzing the influences of the logistics policies and practices employed during these campaigns common underlying logistics principles are identified. The resultant logistics principles are then codified into a logistics paradigm to be used when developing and managing operational level logistics.
http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?ve…
also:-
http://www.aflma.hq.af.mil/lgj/Af…
Jesse • Link
"and saved the King near 100l. in it"
Wouldn't "Colours" (or flags?) fall in a somewhat different category than basic provisions? Perhaps the 100 L savings on the flags would go for more guns 'n butter. Funds of course were limited and was any gain on Pepys part mere war profiteering?
Michael Robinson • Link
Wouldn’t “Colours” (or flags?) fall in a somewhat different category than basic provisions?
If you are a commander who has lost the ability to signal a fleet maneuver at sea because all the flags turned to tatters after the first storm, ...
JWB • Link
bewpers over calico?
Reminds me of the Soviet bomb makers boast about the purity of their fissionable material relative to the US, without realizing that the optimal quality was always just that which was sufficient. It is this sort of economic ignorance that contributed to the implosion of their regime.
Australian Susan • Link
The inferior materials discussion has brought to my mind Joseph Heller's Catch 22 and MM's all encroaching mercantile empire, which was thoroughly detrimental. I know this is fiction, but it reflects (albeit exaggeratedly ) reality.
There has been discussion here about Australian troops having substandard weapons (I know of one Army widow whose husband died because his loaded rifle went off when he was getting off a truck in E. Timor) and British troops have complained about substandard equipment too. Probably the same for US troops in Iraq.
Imagine the scene at Trafalgar if Nelson's famous message had been ripped to shreds by the wind before the other ships could read it!
cgs • Link
see the H o Lauds,
If thee be a member of the Lordly ones hired ones ye can complain about be nabbed by the local Law enforcement guys.
Privileges count,Samuell's hires do not count.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
Robert Gertz • Link
Parliamentary corruption investigation of the Naval Office following disasters at sea against the Dutch...
"Clearly Mr. Speaker, no gentleman, trained and hardened in battle could have allowed our ships to be so badly prepared, our men so poorly armed, clothed, and fed...The very flags of our ships rotted away before even sight of the foe. I think it must be accepted that gentlemen and seamen of the stature of Sir William Batten, of Penn of Jamaica...Could never have allowed such crimes to pass."
"But...There is one man, of no rank or title, foisted upon his fellow officers..."
"Lacking in any naval or military experience...A mere lackey to an ambitious Lord...Who kept his soft hands in every pie...Demanded that all affairs of the Naval Office be placed in his...Grasping...Hands..."
All eyes turn to the shattered, unkempt, broken figure standing alone and forlorn...
And the little strutting fool signed everything. God bless the day Sandwich sent him to us... Batten, Minnes, Penn fervently, if silently, mutually pray.
Pedro • Link
On this day at Annemabo on the West African Coast…
De Ruyter had arrived at Elmina and discussed the situation with the Governor, whether to attack Cabo Corso, an English sugar factory, and the principal place on the coast, which was stronger even than Elmina, or Cormantyn, another strong fortress.
The Fetu Negroes in the neighbourhood of Cabo Corso were strong, bellicose, and very anti-Dutch. An attack on Cormantyn would mean that the smaller forts of Annemabo and Adja, which lay close to it, would also be certain to fall.
At first De Ruyter decided to do neither and wait for the arrival of Prince Rupert, but the Governor negotiated with the Negroes, and with a payment of 2000 pounds, they promised not to prevent the re-capture.
A strong landing party of nearly a thousand men, supported by twelve hundred Negroes from Elmina, marched on the 28th Jan/7th Feb against Annemabo. The English blew up the fortress and retreated to Cormantyn. An attack on Adja first failed due to Negroe resistance, but fell the next day.
De Ruyter wrote to Francis Selwyn, the Governor of Cormantyn demanding its surrender. It put up strong resistance with the aid of a strong body of Fantyn Negroes under their brave chief Kabasse. Even at the start of the assault the Dutch sailors and Negroes were throwing hand grenades into the fortress, Kabasse and his men continued their vigorous defence. Kabasse suggested that they blow the up the whole fortress sacrificing both friend and foe. Selwyn refused and Kabasse tried to kill himself first by exposing himself to the Dutch bullets and finally he cut his throat and jumped from the walls. The fortress fell and the English garrison of fifty eight surrendered, and the victors immediately started to plunder.
De Ruyter had ordered his chaplain to give a thanksgiving service, tried to land to stop the excesses, but was unable to do so due to the heavy surf, in which he was nearly drowned. It was only on the following day that he was able to restore order, and to persuade the last Fantyn Negroes who were still holding the gates to surrender. On his return he once again ran great danger in the surf. One boat, with soldiers and sailors in it, was swamped and the occupants drowned…A garrison of seventy two was left at the fort.
(Summary from The Life of Admiral De Ruyter by Blok)
This is a Dutch account, and there are more detailed English accounts available)
Second Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
CGS' "teaser on Bullion
'Charles II, 1660: An Act for the Encourageing and increasing of Shipping and Navigation.', Statutes of the Realm: volume 5: 1628-80 (1819), pp. 246-250. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…... 1660.
is a mystery to me. I went on both the HOL and HOC links above and found zilch about bullion, shipping and navigation, or the repeal of an Act from 1642 through 1660 regarding the treatment of Admirals, etc.
San Diego Sarah • Link
http://www.biographies.net/bio/m/…
Jan Valckenburg was twice director-general of Elmina on the African Gold Coast for the Dutch West India Company.
In Valckenburg's official portrait his black houseboy wears a gold medal with a view of Fort Elmina, which is depicted in the background. Valckenburg began as a simple assistant-trader, but climbed to Director-General of the Dutch Gold Coast, twice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan…
On 5 September 1662, Jan Valckenburgh left Amsterdam for his second term as Director-General on the Gold Coast. Due to kidney problems, he was relieved of his duties on 2 June 1667, and a month later, on 8 July, died.